Disorders of the Sweat Glands.

THE perspiration is sometimes greatly increased above nature's design. This is, technically, idrosis. In other instances there is too little sweating. This is called anidrosis. Sometimes the perspiration is so altered in its physical qualities as to have some peculiar smell. This is osmidrosis. In some rare instances, according to old writers, the sweat was changed in color. This was chromidrosis. And now and then a case occurs of bloody perspiration, of which the most memorable case on record is that of the Redeemer of men, who, in the garden, sweat great drops of blood. Several cases of this are recorded in medical books. It is called homidrosis.
The proper action of the skin being so vitally important to health, these changes often involve very serious consequences.

Treatment. Either too much or too little sweating can generally be corrected by the cold or warm bath, friction, tonics, and proper clothing. Small doses of jaborandi, also ergot and strychnine, are among the best internal medicines (365).